Lotus Emira V8 in Testing & Other News

Okay so today's Lotus Technology group investor call happened this morning.

Here are some updates:

- Hybrid Plugin Macan Competitor 2026Q1 China, Q3 ROW
- Facelift 2027 Lotus Emira I4 with power increase
- Lotus Emira V6 Discontinued
- Lotus Emira V8 Euro 7 Compliant powertrain in investigation/testing/development.

Thanks @Lotustoronto for being our live discord blogger


Disclaimer: I'm basing this off recollections from someone else from the call, I haven't had time to listen to the full call myself, but some things may be inaccurate, and a lot of info has been missed too, I recommend you listen to the call yourself, the QA starts at 21 minutes in.

 

[sixtyy]

I am going to 100% buy the macan competitor. I am itchy to swap my 2020 Macan S for something else.

 

[Eagle7]

The V8 decision doesnt make sense to me but I suppose lotus have to deal with what engines they can get. But I cant see how the V8 would fit without extension chassis changes and a lot of weight out rear, in which case why not just release it as. a different model altogether?

I get the V6 wont pass Euro 7 so an alternative is needed but I find it hard to believe that Toyota wont be developing a new V6 to replace it.

I know the espirit ended life with a turbo V8, having stated with a 4 cylinder but we're in a different time now.

The Mercedes V8 would require automatic gearbox only and would push it into a signfiicantly higher price bracket and up against some serious competition. Couldnt see it being less than £120k

Maybe they should look into making the Emira Flex Fuel compatible. More power, less emissions. The mileage goes down, but the offset is E85 is a lot cheaper than gas. It also runs cooler in an engine tuned for it. I've been researching and reading up on it, and I think I'm going to experiment with making mine Flex Fuel compatible and see how it works.

 

[kitkat]

Any idea why AMG wont sell the V8, but would sell the M139?

Not a damn clue lol.

 

[Teshoo Lama]

Any idea why AMG wont sell the V8, but would sell the M139?

Probably because partnership with Lotus adds brand value/cachet to their low-end models, but (in their eyes) would detract from their high-end models.

 

[Black Ice]

Probably because partnership with Lotus adds brand value/cachet to their low-end models, but (in their eyes) would detract from their high-end models.

Surely anything M139 powered is high-end in its own right?

It’s a strange one as they sell the V8 to other manufacturers….

I still think the EcoBoost V6 would be a great choice, and Noble have already mated it to a manual gearbox.

 

[Orchardbike]

Surely anything M139 powered is high-end in its own right?

It’s a strange one as they sell the V8 to other manufacturers….

I still think the EcoBoost V6 would be a great choice, and Noble have already mated it to a manual gearbox.

Any manual gearbox will do, other than the one they currently fit to the V6!

 

[Black Ice]

Any manual gearbox will do, other than the one they currently fit to the V6!

It’s actually the Graziano unit from (I think) the Gallardo and R8, so it should be pretty decent!

 

[Hangar18]

V8 is such an odd choice. Not really sure why you would want to run that out. But aside from the choice itself, who do you even go to?
GM probably doesn't feel like making the Emira more of a competitor for the Vette. I don't think the coyote, or hemi will fit. VW group is probably not willing to prop up a Porsche competitor. About all that's left is the S68 from bmw, which would be crazy performance wise, and price wise.

I'm not really seeing why it has to be a V8 though. There's plenty of really good 6 cylinder options. The LF4 and S58 would both be a large step up power wise, and both have manual transmissions already. The S58 is also lighter than the current engine.

 

[1031ent]

Well, this is going to be expensive, but if a V8 6MT Emira is released, I will take whatever depreciation hit mine has, and buy one.

For me it is all about WHICH V8 engine they choose. The Toyota V6 is reliable, the Mercedes I4 appears to be fairly reliable. So if they choose a reliable V8, I might have to trade in, if not I will keep my I4.

 

[FlashingBlade]

I'd be happy (more than happy) with a six cylinder that could rev to 8300+. I'd swap for that.

 

[Lotus F1]

Yeah well I'm thinking my much lighter I4 500 horsepower Emira is more in line with what a Lotus should be